Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation and two-term Rivers State governor, revealed during a lecture in Abuja on May 31, 2025, marking his 60th birthday, that he explicitly told President Bola Tinubu before the 2023 general elections that he would neither vote for nor work for him due to concerns over Tinubu’s capacity to govern Nigeria effectively.
Amaechi recounted meeting Tinubu in Yola, Adamawa State, where he candidly expressed his stance, stating, “I will not support you; I will not work for you.” True to his word, Amaechi did not campaign for Tinubu or the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the elections, emphasizing his belief that leadership competence was paramount.
Amaechi, who contested the APC presidential primary in 2022 and finished second to Tinubu, criticized Nigeria’s political culture, particularly the tendency to vote along ethnic and religious lines, which he argued perpetuates stagnation. He blamed the populace, not just leaders, for Nigeria’s challenges, asserting, “The problem of Nigeria is the followers.” He highlighted the lack of production in Nigeria’s economy, describing it as overly reliant on oil revenue without genuine capitalist investment.
Amaechi also expressed disillusionment with past appointees, citing an instance during his ministerial tenure when a subordinate prioritized political allegiance over performance. He advocated for a coalition with opposition parties to prioritize national interests over personal ambitions, suggesting readiness to support any group capable of addressing Nigeria’s issues. His remarks, sparking debate among political analysts, underscore ongoing tensions within the APC and highlight Amaechi’s push for merit-based governance as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.